Topic: Tank Exterior

[jaannaktin]

I finally got the inside of my tank looking safe for gasoline! I used a combination of techniques, but would like to share the following observations:

1. The Kreem product is NOT for a tank that has significant rust
2. I came close to building a "tank tumbler" to roll the nuts and bolts around (like one of those old stone polishers) -- definitely a work out
3. Repeated treatment is necessary for heavily corroded interiors; I had to do mine three times!
4. oldmanhonda.com gets credit for the muriatic acid -- much cheaper, very effective!
5. I bought a large size rubber stopper from my local non franchise hardware store, predrilled some small channels, and used the petcock screws to squeeze the b@$tard into postion -- never had a problem with leaking
6. The fuel cap assembly is perfect for holding my wife's hairdryer in place to dry the interior while I cleaned up the work area
7. I had to settle for some minor "flash" rusting at the end -- the acetone wash turned to a horrible brown sludge instead of "taking the water with it" -- set me back one step

Now that I actually have a tank that would safely hold gasoline, the exterior looks like crap. The prior owner had it puttied and repainted (poorly).

I cannot tell from the FAQ on painting and exterior whether there is a good place to have exteriors redone with original color paints, or whether the DIY crowd prefers to order paints, etc. I suppose I can always go with the "hideous e-bay bike friday" look and get some flames or skulls painted on?

Any thoughts? I am more of a stock proponent and would be willing to pay for original paint colors and reproduction emblems if necessary.

Appreciated...

Jaan

[Tim.]

www.reproductiondecals.com for any decals needed and their recommended painter:

www.bkcustomcoatings.com

I got some Sunrise Orange candy touch-up paint from Brad at BK for my 1975 CB550F tank, and the match was PERFECT.  BK does a lot of old Hondas, including some of the bikes on this site.

Not the cheapest, and in Canada, but certainly among the best if not the best.

[eldar]

Well you could probably get the paint and get yourself a paint sprayer. I will probably end up doing that since my tank got bashed by hail and the paint is beat up now. You just need a clean area to do it. One that will STAY clean.

[Uncle Ernie]

If you do your own paint, get an exhaust fan powered with a Chevy 350 and twin blowers.

[jaannaktin]

I got a quote of 800 Canadian dollars from the BK custom group. I think I can live with a bashed up tank for now. I got a lot of good feedback from a lot of people. I'm checking into some local resources here in Allentown -- you won't find any maple leafs on my tank; in fact, I am thinking of canning the "stock" look and going with a big old American flag!

Jaan

[eldar]

Well a good sand blast job is about $10 US. If you can get a clean spot, paint and sprayer will probably run under $100.
I am sure someone has done their own painting and could recommend a style of sprayer and maybe paint.

[Bob Wessner]

Jann,

I got a quote of 800 Canadian dollars from the BK custom group.

Was that just for the tank? That's about $660 or so U.S., seems pretty very high for just a tank.

[eldar]

That is high but then I suppose we have not seen the tank. I asked at a good body shop and was told around $400.

[jaannaktin]

Hi Jaan,
To strip parts and repaint with decals and reclear it would be approx.
$800.00 plus tax (Canadian).
I do need to know the colour sceem.
Any more questions, just ask.
Thanks Brad - B.K. Custom Coatings

This is the unedited (including spelling) reply to my e-mail inquiry that did include a small picture (similar to the one in my avatar). The tank is really not in terrible condition, being free of major dents and holes. The paint job is pretty crappy and the red color is not even close to "ruby red." (i think the bike was originally ruby red, but for some reason the forks and headlight are not colored and that leads me to believe there has been part replacement or repainting in the past).

A local shop (machines of mayhem [machinesofmayhem.com]{don't judge them by their website}) sight unseen told me it could be 400 (u.s.) dollars on up for tank plus side panels with attempt to match colors.  solid colors or even custom painting (ie flames, skulls, etc) would probably run less. they were very helpful and "can do" on the phone, including pick up and delivery of the bike if necessary. I also have to add the cost of replacing decals (40 dollars) and emblems (138 euros) and the chrome trim (25 euros) from the lower edge if I go for the "original" look. Of course, then, the seat would have to be replaced since it would look crappy next to the finished tank and side panels (160 euros). my brother's quote "what happened to make your seat look like a banana?"(prices are quoted from cmsnl.com).

I like the 10 dollar sandblasting with the 100 dollar repaint suggestion. Of course I am not posting to b!tch about prices --

  nothing is too good for my baby 

[Bob Wessner]

Of course I am not posting to b!tch about prices --

I've used that very line. Of course my wife responds with, "you do mean me, don't you?" 

[eldar]

Women never understand! But then I dont think they can work a toilet seat either!
Thats a crap load of euros for a seat! Just get some marine grade vinyl and have an upolstry shop do it. About $50 total probably. You could pinstripe your own trim too.

[kghost]

I guess it all depends what your going for............

You can get a Shop to recover your seat. Will it look good? Depends on the shop. Will it look factory? Probably not.

It sounds from your post that you are trying to go back as close to stock.

As for the paint, I used to work in an auto body shop. It specialized in AMX's (the car). I paint most of my stuff. Even painted an airplane once.

$400 dollars is not an unreasonable price. There is literally hours of work involved.

Strip old paint - 1.5 hrs
Prep surface - 1.5 hrs
Epoxy prime - .75 hrs
Sand and fill - 2.5 hrs
Base coat - .75
Sand basecoat - 2.5 hrs
Apply decals - 1.0 hrs
Clearcoat - .75 hrs
Sand and buff clearcoat - 2.0 hrs

And thats pretty conservative at about 13.25 hrs. It could run up to 18 hrs to do it right. Thats not including materials.

Can you do it yourself? Sure but it won't look pro. did it. Probably won't last as long either.

Can you get it done cheap (like Maaco?) Sure, see above.

[eldar]

The costs also depend on the shop. As before, you can sand blast for about $10 which takes about 5 min. I blasted my seatpan and with as corroded as it was, it held. There were even holes in my pan that I fixed once it was blasted. These tanks are thick.

I guess painting is all in a persons ability. If your not good at it, it wont look as good, but if you know the tricks then you will get as good of results. After all, if you know the tricks, you already paint.

[kghost]

which takes about 5 min.

I guess painting is all in a persons ability. If your not good at it, it wont look as good, but if you know the tricks then you will get as good of results. After all, if you know the tricks, you already paint.

I have bead blasted a couple of tanks.

1. I wouldn't use sand. Only Glass bead.
2. I would strip first. Goes faster. Clogs media up less with old paint chips.
3. Takes a bit longer than 5 min. About an hour for a tank.
4. Don't get #$%* inside the tank. Its difficult to get out.

Eldar,

Spot on with the last bit. If you know, you already do.

[eldar]

With the place I got my pan blasted, they had piles of sand! It was about as fine as anything. Very fine sand.
Again though, I suppose every place you go to is a bit different and that can suck cause sometimes you get poor quality. Kinda like bidding on ebay, you never know. I got a set of footpegs for a F3 that were listed for a K. Dont exactly fit too well.

[kghost]

Little off topic..........

I got a bunch of foot pegs, What do you need?

[eldar]

Dont anymore, got the right ones on the second try. I also have a fairing mount for windjammers that is too narrow for my frame so I think it may actually be for 500s.